D.A.: Deputy-involved hospital shooting was justified

An inmate was shot and killed by a Walworth County sheriff's deputy Monday night inside Lakeland Medical Center.

WALWORTH COUNTY, Wis. -

The Walworth County District Attorney's office has ruled that a deputy-involved shooting at a hospital in January was justified.

District Attorney Daniel Necci delivered a letter to Sheriff David Graves informing him of the decision.

The incident took place on Jan. 21. According to the D.A.'s office, Alfredo Villarreal had been booked into the jail on the day before the shooting.

On Jan. 21, he was found face-down in his jail cell with a laceration to his head. He was then transported to Aurora Lakeland Medical Center for examination.

Later that day, Villarreal asked to use the bathroom. The deputy removed the ankle restraint on Villarreal and, upon returning from the restroom, he kicked the deputy in the face.

Necci said that testimony revealed that Villarreal punched the deputy repeatedly in the head, and continued his assault into the hallway.

The deputy attempted to use his Taser, but missed as Villarreal closed the door to the room.

Upon opening the door, Necci said the deputy saw Villarreal attempting to break a window with a metal chair. After the deputy ordered him to drop the chair, witnesses said Villarreal charged at the deputy with the chair.

According to witnesses, Villarreal stopped several feet short of the deputy, looked around, and continued to lunge toward the deputy.

The deputy then fired five shots from his service weapon.

Necci said that based on witness accounts and physical evidence collected, the deputy's use of force was justified and that an inquest is not necessary in the case.

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